Crime & Safety
Hamblin Bread in Oxford among best bakeries in the UK
The list features the top 50 bakeries, with 22 new entries for 2026, and it’s “a line-up reflecting the extraordinary range and vitality of Britain’s modern baking scene”, according to the guide.
The Good Food Guide said the list “celebrates the nation’s boundary pushing artisans who are experimenting with regionally-grown, locally-milled heritage grains and who are introducing an increasingly broad range of global flavours to the Saturday morning pastry run.”
Hamblin Bread is one of the 50 bakeries featured, but it’s not one of the 22 new entries.
Hamblin Bread among best 50 bakeries in the UK
From sausage rolls to cardamom buns, the bakery has plenty of freshly baked goods, both sweet and savoury, for customers to enjoy.
Each week, you can check the stock and place orders for its Iffley Road bakery and Covered Market shop.
What do customers say about Hamblin Bread?
On Tripadvisor, where the bakery has a perfect 5-star rating from 14 reviews, customers have shared their experiences.
This person said: “The pastries here are always delicious, especially the cinnamon and cardamon buns.
“The coffee in the covered market shop is very good too, and the staff are brilliant – welcoming and friendly”.
Another commented: “Fabulous pastries!
“Cardamom bun, vanilla & lemon bun, and sausage roll were all fresh, moist, and delicious!
“Highly recommend. :)”
This customer said the bakery is “Willy Wonka for adults”, adding: “A tiny bakery with a small range of offerings in an austere but beautiful setting.
“The lunchtime roll (mortadella, salad and fantastic mayo) was an impulse buy.
“Quickly followed by a cinnamon bun and a glorious piece of goats cheese.
“All gorgeous. But the bread!
“Oh such sourdough is rare to find! This is a gem.”
Over on Google Reviews, customers have also been impressed (4.9 stars from 250 reviews) with one sharing: “Everytime i’m in Oxford, i’ll make sure i pick up a house loaf and bring it all the back with me to Germany.
“The bread is one of the best classic English sourdoughs money can buy.
“It is good even up to 5-7days.
“If Michelin guide gives stars to bakers, then this is a definite 3 stars, deserving of a special trip.”
A regular customer said: “OMG. The most amazing cinnamon scroll I’ve ever had , the most beautiful treats, gorgeous bread and pizza slices.
“Such friendly staff.
Recommended reading:
“I can’t wait to go back tomorrow morning for the best scroll & plum and apple tart.
“Absolute heaven.”
You can find the bakery at 247 Iffley Road, OX4 1SJ or visit the Covered Market store at Avenue 2, The Covered Market, Market Street, OX1 3DZ.
What’s your favourite treat from Hamblin Bread? Tell us your recommendations in the comments below.
Cherwell District Council is working alongside Banbury Town Council and the Quays Consortium to prepare a formal expression of interest for the new national competition, which aims to celebrate the cultural and heritage contributions of towns across the country.
David Hingley, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “I’m proud to confirm that alongside our partners we will be submitting an expression of interest for Banbury to be recognised as the UK Town of Culture 2028.
“This competition is our opportunity to show the rich, diverse and historic heritage that makes Banbury so special and unique, and to leave a lasting legacy for the future.
“From our outdoor market, thriving community initiatives, popular festivals, grassroots arts and wellbeing projects, to youth sporting programmes, culture is already at the heart of Banbury, and this bid will help us shine a spotlight on the town, its people and its stories.”
The UK Town of Culture 2028 winner will receive £3 million to deliver a six-month programme of cultural events and activities.
Banbury’s expression of interest will showcase its distinct identity and outline how the programme could broaden resident engagement, increase access to arts and heritage, and involve communities in shaping the design and legacy of the programme.
The council is engaging with partners such as Banbury Museum, The Mill Arts Centre, cultural organisations, businesses, and community groups to strengthen the bid and realise the town’s cultural ambitions.
Helen & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill children and their families, launched its revamped clothing store on March 12.
The updated shop was opened by BBC Radio Oxford presenter Adam Ball and joins the charity’s refurbished homeware shop, which reopened last September and occupies the other half of the unit.
Baljit Dhindsa, head of retail at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are delighted to unveil the refurbished space, which has been thoughtfully redesigned to create a brighter, more modern shopping environment while continuing our commitment to sustainability.
“The new layout allows us to showcase an even wider selection of clothing and accessories, with improved displays and more space on the shop floor.
“We have also enhanced accessibility within the shop, including adding an additional accessible fitting room to ensure a comfortable experience for all our customers.”
The reimagined boutique-style shop features a contemporary, urban-inspired design with vintage touches and improved backroom facilities, allowing for increased donations and more efficient sorting.
Proceeds from the store directly support Helen & Douglas House’s hospice care in Oxford and in people’s homes.
Ms Dhindsa said: “When you buy something from our shop for £5, this could pay for arts and crafts materials for local terminally ill children to make Mother’s Day cards whilst staying at the hospice in Oxford.
“Our spring collection is now in store so do pop in to checkout our great range of clothing and accessories and take a look at the wonderful transformation of our shop.”
Cotswold Wildlife Park was established by John Heyworth on the Bradwell Grove Estate and opened on Good Friday, March 27, 1970.
It began with 341 animals and has since grown to house more than 1,500 animals across 250 species.
A spokesperson for Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 56 wonderful years of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and we’d like to thank our visitors for their loyal support over the years.
“We must thank them for all their support for more than half a century.”
From its early days on a shoestring budget, the park has expanded to include giraffes, which arrived in 2010 for its 40th anniversary, and rhinos such as D’ora, named during its golden jubilee year in 2020.
George the Aldabra giant tortoise is the park’s oldest and only original resident.
To mark the 50th anniversary, keepers made him a special cake during the lockdown.
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